WEST ALEXANDRIA, Preble County — A man suspected of robbing a bank in West Alexandria was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as deputies focused their investigation on him, according to Preble County Sheriff Mike Simpson.
Deputies were first called to investigate the robbery at the Twin Valley Bank in West Alexandria around 10 a.m. Tuesday. Investigators said a man entered the bank and demanded cash, but did not display a gun during the robbery. The robber got away in a white work van with ladders on top.
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The sheriff’s office investigation, helped by tips from the public and surveillance footage released, led deputies to a home in the 8000 block of Gratis-Jacksonburg Road. At the property, deputies located a van that matched the description of the one used as the getaway vehicle, Simpson said.
No one was home at the time, however deputies were in contact by phone with the suspect, who agreed to meet deputies at the house, Simpson said.
“(Deputies) had some phone contact with a young man. And he agreed to come back to the property and meet with deputies. As he arrived and pulled up here, he shot himself with a handgun while he was in the van,” Simpson told News Center 7.
Deputies performed life-saving measures but were not successful and the man was pronounced dead at the scene, Simpson said.
The name of the suspect was not released, pending notification of family and further investigation.
During the subsequent investigation, deputies located the money taken from the bank.
Additional details were not released.
Cox Media Group
